The word “midterm” gets tossed around with increasing frequency this time of year as political candidates — incumbents already in office and hopefuls looking to defeat them — announce their campaigns and start raising money.
But what does it mean for voters in the Florida Keys? And which offices are up for grabs?
The Keys Weekly recently found a helpful link on the Monroe County elections website at keys-elections.org that lists each political office and notes which ones will appear on the 2022 ballot.
While some candidates have already announced their intention to run for office and filed the required paperwork, others will continue entering races throughout the winter and spring.
So let’s review a bit.
The term “midterm election” refers to the election that occurs midway through a U.S. president’s four-year term. With no presidential candidates on midterm ballots, the midterms often decide the balance of political power in the U.S. House and U.S. Senate as Republicans and Democrats gain and lose seats in both chambers.
The primary election to narrow the field of candidates will take place Aug. 23. The general election is Nov. 8.
Here’s what political offices will appear on the ballot for the 2022 election in Monroe County, along with the incumbents whose terms end this year. Some incumbents will seek reelection; others will not.
Governor
Ron DeSantis
U.S. Senator
Marco Rubio
U.S. House
Carlos Gimenez
State Representative
Jim Mooney
Circuit Judges (16th Judicial Circuit)
Group 2: Judge Tim Koenig
County Judges
Group 1: Peary Fowler
Group 3: Sharon Hamilton
Group 4: Ruth Becker
Monroe County Commission
District 1: Michelle Coldiron
District 4: David Rice
District 5: Holly Raschein*
Monroe County School Board:
District 1: Bobby Highsmith
District 4: John Dick
District 5: Sue Woltanski
Key West Mayor
Teri Johnston
Key West City Commission
District II: Sam Kaufman
District IV: Greg Davila
District V: Mary Lou Hoover
Mosquito Control Board
District 2: Phil Goodman
District 5: Thomas McDonald
Key Largo Wastewater Board
David Thompson
Andrew Tobin
Sue Heim
Key Largo Fire & Emergency
Seat 2: Frank Conklin
Seat 4: George Mirabella
*County Commissioner Holly Raschein was appointed by the governor to fulfill the term of the late Mike Forster. As he died so soon in his term, Raschein must now run for reelection in November to keep the seat until the term ends in 2024. Jose Peixoto has declared he will seek the seat, and other candidates may run as well.
County Commissioner Eddie Martinez resigned his seat in 2021. The county is awaiting a new governor appointee to fill Martinez’s seat.
2022-reelection-races
